In the Nursery with Jenin Paradise

First comes love, then comes marriage—you know what comes next, and so does the very talented and always stylish Jenin Paradise! And she’s so passionate about all things wedding and baby that she created an event planning business—Planning For Paradise—and a baby and lifestyle blog—Planning For Paradise, Literally—as outlets for her creativity.

Jenin is a new mama to sweet Rush Robinson Paradise, born just over a month ago. Today she’s taking us on a tour of the whimsical black and white nursery that she created for him and sharing her inspiration and advice on how to create YOUR perfect space. Thanks Jenin!

Design inspiration can come from anywhere—what inspired your nursery design?Besides being a lover of everything modern, I love black and white photography. There is something timeless about B+W anything. This inspired me to create a nursery with minimal color but to execute a bold design filled with patterns, mismatched accents, a metal dresser and more to give it character.

How did your personal style influence your design choices?As a wedding planner, I will say I am extremely picky (almost OCD—you have to be, right?) about things looking perfect and clean. I love a clean design with personal touches that complete a look. Besides having that under my belt, I wanted to create a very blank slate nursery with some elegant and bold touches. My “white” nursery to me symbolizes a new baby—pure, new and a fresh start to life.

Now that the room is complete, what was your favorite part of the process? And what do you love the most about the finished design?I loved every second of designing our little guy’s nursery. This was by far my favorite project ever. I loved searching for unique ideas and ways to turn the basic baby necessities into something more by adding my own personal twist. For example, I used Ikea block cubbies and turned them sideways to act as a wall-mounted changing table. Instead of a rocking chair or glider, we opted for a stack of cool metal industrial chairs. I definitely love the unexpected decor. It’s just like a wedding—the unique items are what stand out, and they’re what people remember. But what I love the absolute most is the little guy who comes along with it.

What is that one thing that everyone mentions when they step into this space?
Just how unique it is. But I guess what I hear most is, “I love how you put the crib in the middle of the room.”

If you had to choose one aspect of the design that is uniquely you, what would it be?There are a lot of unique touches throughout the nursery, but my favorites are all the personal hidden touches that many don’t see by eye. I have my grandmother’s chandelier that I spray painted white hanging in place of a mobile. When I was a little girl, I used to sit on the center of her fancy dining room table (the only time I was ever allowed!) and help her polish each crystal. It became a tradition and something we would do every time I visited. I love that a piece of her lives on in such a special place. Also, the letter my husband wrote me on our wedding day is framed and hanging on the wall. It is a good reminder for our little guy of the love that brought him here. And I also love the “You are my bucket list” print—my husband got that for me when we first started dating. It has the perfect new home.

Courtney and her husband live in their hometown in Upstate New York with three-year-old Emiliana and two-year-old Everett. When she's not tagging along on Emmi's latest adventure or playing with Everett and his ever-growing collection of cars and trucks, Courtney shares her passion for creativity by teaching art classes for kids at her studio, Small Fry Art Studio.

The IKEA link doesn’t work… so question. All the cube shelves I’ve found are 12″ wide but changing pads are 16″ wide. So did you find a cube storage that was 16″ wide or did you find a changing pad that was 12″ wide?